Doughnut machine



Patented Apr. 30, 1940 PATENT OFFICE 'DOUGHNUT MACHINE Peter J. Toews, Minneapolis,

Minn., assignor to Dough-King, Inc., Minneapolis, Minn, a corporation of Minnesota Application May'l, 1939, Serial 9 Claims. (01. 53-7) My invention relates to doughnut machines and particularly to doughnut machines. in which the doughnuts are progressed along a way in the channel through the flow of the cooking liquid;

An object of the invention resides in providing a device adapted to be used at a bend in the channelfor readjusting the doughnuts in the way to prevent jamming or sticking thereof and to dislodge doughnuts which may become stuck or jammed. I

Anotherobject'of the invention resides in providing at the bend in the way shifting means normally disposed out of the path of travel of the doughnuts and adapted to be. shifted laterally of the channel to readjust the positions of the doughnuts.

A still further object ofthe invention resides in constructing the shifting means asa curved plate adapted to be disposed adjacent a wall of the channel at the bend thereof when in normal position. I

A feature of the invention resides in disposing said plate at the concave wall of the'channel. An object of the inventionresides in constructing said plate reticulate.

Another object of the invention resides in providing a slide and guide means therefor and in attaching the plate to the slide.

A still further object of the invention resides in operating said shifting "means periodically.

Another object of the invention resides in providing the machine with a control device for controlling the rate of travel of the doughnuts through the machine and in operating the shifting means in. synchronism with the operation of the. control device.

Other objects of the invention reside in the novel combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter illustrated and/or described.

In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a plan sectional view of a doughnut machine'illustrating an embodiment of my invention. p Fig. 2wis a plan view of a portion of the structure shown in Fig. 1 and illustrating the parts in altered position, said view being drawn to a greater scale. s Fig; 3 is an elevational sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2. r

In the operation of doughnut machines in which the doughnuts are in a channel through thefiow of the cooking liquid'and where sharp bends are formed in the channel, the doughnuts frequently jam or stick and the force procured through the flow of the cooking liquid is insufficient to cause propulsion.

This is particularly true where the movement of doughnuts is arrested by a control device oper- Within the case In is thereof. 7 A guard .lowing along the wall II.

progressed along a way ating to periodically control the rate of entry of doughnuts into a turner or ejector. The present invention provides a construction by means of which the doughnuts are dislodged and prev'ented'from sticking and whereby positive travel of the doughnuts. is procured. s

' In the drawings I have shown a doughnut machine A, which consists of a case Ill constructed with end walls II and I2 and side walls I3'and I4 connected therewith. The case includes uprights I5 disposed at the outer corners ofthe same which extend throughout the height of the case and to which the various walls are attached. Secured to the'various uprights I5 are angle frame members, not shown, which stiffen the case and which serve as supports for the kettle of the invention.

tle I8 which is preferably of cast material and which is constructed with a bottom I9 and with .various walls are so arranged as to form a channel 23 which extends throughout the major pordisposed a cooking ket- $9 vertical walls 2| extending upwardly therefrom.

tion of the kettle and which provides a way along which the doughnuts may travel. The

kettle I8 has one corner of the same removed,

as designated. at 24, leaving a main portion 25 of the width. of the case and of a length less thanv the length thereof. This construction also provides an extension 26 to the kettle which extends up to the end wall I2. The kettle Ill is constructed with a ledge 21 extending about the margin of the same which terminates in a lip ZBprojecting upwardly from the extreme edge 29, on the case Ill, issues inwardly from the walls thereof and overlies the lip 28, thereby protecting the same and at the same time being spaced therefrom to retard transmission of-heat from the kettle of the case. The kettle I8 is supported on the angle frame members attached to the uprights I5 in any suitable manner.

The channel 23 is arranged to provide a straight H run 32 which commences in close proximity to the wall I2 and follows along wall I3. The channel 23, at the end of the run 32, makes a curve 33 which leads into another straight run 34 fol- At the end of this run the channel has another v curve 35 which leads into still anotherv straight run 36 which follows along the Wall I4. At the end of the run 36 the channel is constructed with a loop 30 which communicates with another loop or run 31'. The latter run communicates with a straight run 38 which is parallel with the run 32. The run 38 discharges into a reservoir 39 whichis merely an enlargement of said run. From this reservoir a short run. 4I is'provided which forms locality of the end of the major portion 25'of the kettle formed by the corner 24. Between these uprights are provided glass panels 58 which are slidably supported in guides 59 whereby the said panels may be removed. The entire hood isenclosed by a top, not shown, which is carried by the uprights I5 and 51. The hood is so designed that the same encloses the runs 33, 34, 35, 36 and 31 of the channel 23 and the major portions of the runs 38 and 32 leaving part of the reservoir 39 and the loop 40 disposed outwardly of said hood.

In the reservoir 39 is provided a vertical tubular duct 6| which communicates at its lower end with the bottom of the reservoir 39. In this duct is disposed a propeller or elevator 63 which is mounted on the armature shaft 64 of a motor 65. The duct 6I communicates at its upper end with the run II of channel 23, thus discharging the cooking liquid from the reservoir 39 and into the said run of the channel.

At the lowermost portion of the reservoir 39 is arranged a clean-out II. This clean-out serves as a sump for collecting crumbs and other solid material formed in the operation of the machine. This construction forming no particular feature of the invention has not been illustrated in detail.

Situated at the beginning of run 32 of channel 23 is a doughnut former I2 which comprises a receptacle I3 for dough and a cutter I I connected therewith. Such construction being well known in the art will not be described in detail in this application. The cutter I4 includes a flanged sleeve I5 which severs dough extrusions from the mass contained in the receptacle I3. This sleeve is reciprocated in opposite directions by means of a forked arm I6 which is mounted on a shaft TI. Shaft 11 is operated by a motor and transmission enclosed within a transmission housing 18. Inasmuch as the driving mechanism for the shaft 11 does not form a feature of the instant invention the same has not been illustrated. It will thus readily become apparent that doughnuts extruded from the doughnut former 14 are deposited in the flowing cooking liquid which travels along the run 32 of channel 23 in the direction of the arrow.

In the run 36 of channel 23 is arranged a twisted tubular turner 19. This turner inverts the doughnuts after the same have been cooked a predetermined length of time so that the said doughnuts may be cooked equally on both sides thereof.

The doughnut machine includes an ejector BI which is disposed in the run 38 of channel 23. This ejector comprises a shaft 82 which is constantly driven from the transmission within the housing I8. This shaft has mounted on it oppositely extending cranks 83 and 84. Sets of toothed blades 85 and 86 are mounted on the said cranks and are adapted to be alternately raised and lowered as shaft 82 rotates. The lower ends of the blades slide upon a rest 81 which is mounted on the bottom I9 of receptacle I8 in the por tion of the run 38 leading from the run 31. As the doughnuts-reach the said blades the doughnuts are elevated and progressed upwardly and discharged outwardly of the cooking kettle I8.

The ejector BI is disposed in a trough 88 having a discharge end 90 extending outwardly beyond the kettle. This trough returns the cooking liquid deposited upon the same back into the kettle.

For controlling the rate of travel of doughnuts along the channel 23, two controlling devices 9| and 92 are employed. These controlling devices operate to allow the doughnuts, one at a time, to enter the turner and ejector 8I. These control devices are operated by a shaft 93 driven from the transmission within the housing 18 and are moved periodically at predetermined intervals. Inasmuch as any desired construction may be used for this purpose and since this construction does not form a particular feature of the instant invention, the details thereof have not been shown, nor will the same be described. Where the machine is of fairly large capacity the control devices 9| and 92 may be omitted and the rate of flow of the cooking liquid used to time the cooking of the doughnuts.

For controlling the elevation of the cooking liquid in the channel, a dam 94 is employed which extends across the run 38 of channel 23, at the locality of the beginning of the reservoir 39. The cooking liquid, in flowing through the channel 23 passes over this dam and is maintained at a predetermined elevation thereby.

The invention proper consists of a shifting device which is constructed as a curved plate IOI. This plate is adapted to be positioned adjacent the curved wall I02 of the kettle I9 at the locality of the curve 42 thereof. This plate is'reticulate, as shown in Fig. 3, being constructed with a number of holes'I03 in the same. Plate II is attached to an arm I04 which extends upwardly above the upper wall 2| of the kettle I9 and is attached to a horizontally positioned slide I05. Slide I is preferably square throughout the major portion thereof, being formed with a rounded end I08. This slide is guided at one end in a guide I 06 attached to the ledge 25 of kettle I9 and at its other end in another guide -I0I secured to the upper wall 22 ofthe kettle which later guide receives the round end I08 of said slide. The slide I05 is urged in. a direction to move the plate IIII toward the wall I02 of the kettle by means of a tension coil spring I09. This coil spring is hooked at oneend on a pin. III secured to the guide I06 and at its other end to a pin II2, secured directly to said slide.

For operating the shifting device, shaft 93, Which operates the control devices 9| and 92,is utilized. This shaft in the operation of the control device is periodically given a single rotation and then remains at rest until the next operation. This shaft, near the center of the same, is journalled for rotation in a bearing II 3, secured to the upper wall 22 of the kettle I9. Adjacentthis locality is provided a cam II4 attached to said shaft which is constructed with four lobes II5, best shown in Fig. 3. This cam is adaptedto enage cam follower II6 secured to a reciprocating plunger III. Plunger I I1 is slidably mounted for reciprocation in a guide I I8 secured to the upper wall 22 of the kettle. The end of the plunger H8. The other arm II25, of lever I22, extends over the slide I05 and is pivoted thereto by means of a pin I 26 which extendsloosely through a hole in said arm and is secured to the said slide. This hole is of suflicient dimensions to accommodate the oscillation of the lever H2 and to procure operation of the slide I05. Spring Hill normally holds the slide I05 in the position shown in Fig. l, which moves the lever H2 in a clockwise direction and urges the plunger I ll toward the cam H 4.

The operation of the invention is as follows: When the doughnuts travel through the machine and are arrested by the control device 92, it frequently happens that the doughnuts become lodged, one against the other, and when the control device releases the doughnuts the same do not move. As the control device is operated, cam H t moves the plunger ill in and out a number of times, depending upon the number of lobes H5. This oscillates lever I22 and reciprocates slide I05. Reciprocation of slide Hi5 causes the plate Ill! to move transversely of the channel and to jog the doughnuts adjacent the same loose, so that the doughnut will continue to travel in the way formed by the channel 23. In this manner the doughnuts are freed or dislodged and the machine continues to function without attention.

My invention is highly advantageous in that a doughnut machine of the type in which the doughnuts are progressed by the flow of the cooking liquid is made positive in action so that uninterruption of the performance of the machine occurs. By periodically operating the shifting device, positive dislodginent of the doughnuts is procured. The invention may be embodied in existing doughnut machines without appreciable reconstruction or alteration thereof. My invention is extremely simple in construction and will not readily get out of order.

Changes in the specific form of my invention, as herein disclosed, may be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. In a doughnut machine, a kettle providing a channel along which doughnuts are progressed by the flow of the cooking liquid, said channel having a bend therein and shifting means in the channel at the bend and normally out of the path of travel of the doughnuts, and means for periodically moving said shifting means laterally of the channel to re-adjust the positions of the doughnuts in the channel.

2. In a doughnut machine, a kettle providing a channel along which doughnuts are progressed by the flow of the cooking liquid, said channel having a bend therein and shifting means in the channel situated at the concave side of the bend and normally out of the path of travel of the doughnuts, and means for periodically moving said shifting means laterally of the channel to re-adjust the positions of the doughnuts in the channel. 7

3. In a doughnut machine, a kettle providing a channel along which doughnuts are progressed by the flow of the cooking liquid, said channel having a bend therein, a curved plate in the channel normally situated in close proximity to the concave wall of the channel at the bend and normally out of the path of travel of the doughnuts, means for guiding said plate for movement transversely of the channel and means for periodically moving said plate laterally of the channel to re-adjust the positions of the doughnuts in the channel.

4. In a doughnut machine, a kettle providing a channel along which doughnuts are progressed by the flow of the cooking liquid, said channel having a bend therein and shifting means in the channel at. the bend and normally out of the path of travel of the doughnuts, said shifting means extending along the channel for a distance greater than the length of a doughnut, and means for eriodically moving said shifting means laterally of the channel to re-adjust the positions of the doughnuts in the channel.

5. In a doughnut machine, a kettle providing a channel along which doughnuts are progressed by the flow of the cooking liquid, said channel having a bend therein, means for controlling the rate of travel of the doughnuts in the channel, shifting means in the channel at the bend and normally out of the path of travel of the doughnuts, means for operating said control means and means operated in synchronism with said last named means for moving the shifting means I laterally of the channel to re-adjust the positions of the doughnuts in the channel.

6. In a doughnut machine, a kettle providing achannel along which doughnuts are progressed by the flow of the cooking liquid, said channel having a bend therein, means for controlling the rate of travel of the doughnuts in the channel, shifting means in the channel at the bend and normally out of the path of travel of the doughnuts, means for operating said control means and means operated by the last named means for moving the shifting means laterally of the channel to re-adjust the positions of the doughnuts in the channel.

7. In a doughnut machine, a kettle providing a channel along which doughnuts are progressed by the flow of the cooking liquid, said channel having a bend therein, a reticulate plate in the channel normally situated in close proximity to the concave wall of the channel at the bend and normally out of the path of travel of the doughnuts, means for guidingthe plate for movement transversely of the channel and means for periodically moving said plate laterally of the channel to re-adjust the positions of the doughnuts in the channel. I

8. In a doughnut machine, a kettle providing a channel along which doughnuts are progressed by the flow of the cooking liquid, said channel having a bend therein and being formed with a vertical wall on the concave side thereof, a vertically extending curved plate in the channel normally situated in close proximity to the denoted wall of the channel at the bend and normally out of the path of travel of the doughnuts, means for guiding said plate for movement transversely ofthe channel and means for periodically moving said plate laterally of the channel to re-adjust the positions of the doughnuts in the channel.

9. In adoughnutmachine,- a kettle providing a channel along which doughnuts are progressed by the flow of the cooking liquid, said channel having a bend therein and being formed with a I vertical wall on the concave side thereof, a ver- PETER J. TOEWS. 

